Vienna Calling mit Nargis Mohmand Hassanzai

In this episode of Vienna Calling, Nagis Mohmand Hassanzai, a
former professor from Kabul Education University and winner of
the Sweden World Peace Award in 2023, discusses the dire
situation of women and girls in Afghanistan since the Taliban's
resurgence. Currently living near Düsseldorf, Germany, she is a
prominent advocate for women's rights and the founder of the
Fakunda Foundation. Nagis outlines how the landscape of life for
women in Afghanistan has drastically regressed, equating their
current existence to that of prisoners. With little to no
rights—ranging from education to employment and public life—women
are now banned from schools, universities, and most professions,
primarily but not exclusively, in government sectors. The few
exceptions for women in education exist in areas like healthcare,
but these too are extremely limited and often inaccessible. Nagis
passionately emphasizes that the situation feels akin to a time
warp back to 1919, with systemic violence against women
increasing as they are entirely excluded from political discourse
and cannot engage in public life without a male guardian. Despite
the bleak reality, the discussion shifts to the issue of hope.
Nagis candidly states that under the Taliban regime, the
prospects for change are minimal. She reflects on the profound
hopelessness that afflicts millions of Afghan women and girls,
who recognize that the conditions under the Taliban mirror past
experiences from decades earlier when the group was in power. The
conversation progresses to her ongoing efforts with the Fakunda
Foundation, where she strives to educate women and girls through
innovative means despite the Taliban-imposed barriers. Her
organization has transitioned to online classes, allowing Afghan
women to access education discreetly without drawing the
attention of the authorities. Given the technical challenges—like
limited internet access and electricity outages—Nagis highlights
several hurdles, as many students engage in classes from their
homes in secret. This situation underscores the precarious
environment under which women's education initiatives operate.
European support emerges as a crucial theme, as Nagis outlines
several ways that nations can assist Afghan women. She advocates
for scholarship programs aimed at higher education and emphasizes
the importance of humanitarian assistance that directly reaches
those in need, steering clear of corrupt practices that could
siphon resources to the Taliban. She urges for heightened media
awareness and public discourse surrounding Afghan women's issues
to reinvigorate global attention towards their plight. Regarding
asylum, Nagis references a recent ruling from the European Court
of Justice that could allow Afghan women to receive humanitarian
protection due to widespread gender discrimination in
Afghanistan. While she expresses hope that this decision may
facilitate pathways for women seeking refuge, she notes the
broader challenge of maintaining Afghanistan's visibility in
international discussions. The dialogue concludes with a
heartfelt reminder from Nagis not to forget the plight of Afghan
women, reinforcing the need for sustained advocacy and action
aimed at improving their circumstances. Her call to action serves
as a poignant reminder to keep Afghanistan's issues at the
forefront of political agendas in Europe and beyond.